Huge Thomas Tuchel compensation fee revealed, as Todd Boehly plans to appoint new Chelsea chief

Reports have detailed how much Chelsea will pay off Thomas Tuchel as part of his sacking, as well as revealing Todd Boehly’s plans for a new sporting director.

Tuchel was sacked on Wednesday, the day after Chelsea’s shock Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb. While this performance was a big reason for the decision, there were also other factors at play.

Tuchel had not glued well with the new ownership. According to The Telegraph, he showed little interest in deciding on factors outside of tactics and the first-team squad.

Boehly and the Chelsea board of directors were after a coach who was more inclusive and open to regular contact with them.

As such, they let Tuchel go. That is despite him winning the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup during his time in charge.

A club statement read: ‘Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Thomas Tuchel.

‘On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the Club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club. Thomas will rightly have a place in Chelsea’s history after winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cup in his time here.

‘As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the Club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition.’

Graham Potter has been brought in as the German’s replacement. Chelsea reportedly paid Brighton £15million to obtain the Englishman’s services.

Thomas Tuchel sack cost comes to light

And this isn’t the only big sum they have had to part with. As per an update from The Telegraph, Tuchel has been handed a severance package worth £6.9m.

This takes the total cost of Chelsea’s managerial replacement to £21.9m.

Replacing Tuchel with Potter isn’t the only big piece of business majority owner Boehly wants to complete.

The Evening Standard reveal he hopes to land a new sporting director, who will act as a replacement for Marina Granovskaia. She left Stamford Bridge earlier this year amid Boehly’s wholesale changes to the club’s hierarchy.

The American has been acting as an interim sporting director since then. But he knows someone with more experience of English football is required to take Chelsea back to the summit of the Premier League.

Chelsea officials have already drawn up a shortlist of several potential candidates. Former Liverpool man Michael Edwards is under consideration after his hugely successful spell at Anfield.

Chelsea aim to make the appointment before the start of the World Cup, which begins on November 20. However, they will until Potter has a say on the matter before deciding on their top target.

Boehly decision fits in with Abramovich mould

It is surprising that Chelsea sacked Tuchel when they did, but it also fits in with what Chelsea fans are used to.

Former owner Roman Abramovich was similarly brutal during his tenure, which came to an end in May.

Boehly has shown he knows exactly what he wants. Some Chelsea fans will be angry at the sacking, as Tuchel took the club back to European glory.

But these supporters will have to trust that Boehly knows what he’s doing, and now with Potter too.

It is definitely an interesting managerial appointment. Potter has had huge success at Brighton, having taken them to ninth place in the Prem last term.

He has shown he is able to improve players, including those towards the start of their careers.

One concern though is that he has never dealt with big names who could cause problems in the dressing room. Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a prime example.

Potter has also never been under so much pressure. The stakes at Chelsea are arguably far higher than those at Brighton.

Meanwhile, we’ve come up with six Chelsea players who could benefit from Potter taking charge of the Blues.